If we can just avoid any more injuries, the Leagues Cup games will be good playoffs practice for the team and especially the young guns.
Yamane had a great game last night. His positioning is so good and he always provides an outlet pass. He and Puig had some great one touch sequences.
Lots of questions. I think Paintsill has to go wide again, even if it hurts his form—although he’s been good, he still gets beat up in hold up play and he still looks like “not a forward” in some of those final 1/3 moments. I worry most about Vanney and minutes for Cerrillo—he’s such a good fit. You’re right there’s lots to get wrong. The best case is we become more fluid, fresher down the stretch, and even Puig sees some bench protecting leads. The worst-case, well… individual play, out of form and frustrated players—you know all of last season.
It's a little harsh to say he is giving his team injuries -- he is a victim of them, just like his team is. Speaking of Chich - the announcers made a good point last night -- think of how many more goals he would have scored for us if he had Pec and Paintsil feeding him the ball.
I don't think the rules are any different than last year's leagues cup. I think choices that had to be made are : 1) how to break ties, GD or head to head? 2) is a shootout win a valid "win" for purposes of head to head? 3) how to seed the tournament in the first place for which MLS stadiums host 4) how to determine hosting in the knockout. I don't really have a problem with any of the decisions they made but other opinions are obviously valid too. I think it would be better if they did groups of 4 and a 16 team knockout as opposed to the current set up. None of the above changes the fundamental problem with this as a "competition" which is that it is all in the USA but that's the whole draw for the Mexican club owners. Just sucks for the MFL players.
Hey BS team - your moderator is going on vacation in a couple days. Mr and Mrs TrickHog are off on their 30th Anniversary mega-trip. If someone wants to cover making game threads for the rest of the month - that would be super helpful - for all the remaining Leagues Cup games, however far we go, and for the Aug. 24th home game. I'll be back in full force starting in September. Lemme know if someone can help a Hog out.
I love the youth Kuntz is bringing to the team but I still want to see more from Neal. He has seemed a bit passive for my taste this season. I actually thought Caceres + Garces was the most active cb pairing we have had this year. Despite being under constant pressure by some skilled & quick forwards last night, they only gave up a single goal as a cb pairing. They snuffed out shot after shot. But to be fair I cant tell you how much the emergency defending was their fault. I personally think it had more to do with our midfield getting dominated and the quality of the Chivas attack, but I’m not sure. To be clear I don't think Neal has been bad, especially given he’s only 20. But I would grade him a B sobfar this season, not the A we need from him. I hope you are right that in two years we have the A/A cb pairing we need to be great. Just my humble (lol!) opinion, of course.
Wait - I dont remember you submitting your written request for time off from moderating duties? Sorry but you are a key member of our team and we can’t afford for you to be away right now. Now maybe Dec 23-Dec 26 we could consider. Of course, if you had an important conflict it might be different. But for a little old 30th wedding anniversary? Pshaw... (Have a great trip Trickhog! Look forward to hearing all about it when you get back!)
I thought they did really well too. Lots of “near” danger, but actually very few good looks or truly dangerous chances. The only goal was where Garces went for the steal and missed—but that might not have been a goal, if Brugman tracks his man into the box.
They were great last night, but Caceres will be 38 next year and is very injury prone. I don't think we can count on him to be a starter any more after this season. I think if Neal starts getting regular playing time and has left the injuries behind him, he will be our starter for future seasons.
For those wondering, the bracket is out. If Galaxy were to win vs. Seattle, then they play the winner of Pumas-Vancouver in the round of 16. And if both teams win their first two games, Galaxy would face LAFC at the quarterfinals.
And he scored the winning PK! Very fun game to watch, you guys covered it all. Just to add to the Garces praise - his speed and quickness were jaw-dropping, and he used those advantages well. Hope he recovers quickly - thanks a lot Cowell. Pec's goal - puh-lease, he launched that without a windup, it was awesome.
https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/galaxy-savor-shootout-win-over-chivas-tonight-was-a-big-moment LA Galaxy bounce Chivas from Leagues Cup: “Tonight was a big moment”
also the end of this video made me laugh "They're celebrating in San Jose". lol San Jose had to celebrate our win, of taking down Cade Cowell.
It was totally unnecessary contact —like a lot the referee failed to rein in. I did think what would have been awesome for MLS rivalry and put the tournament in the news and on the bulletin board for years to come would have been if the Galaxy went to the very last minute and then threw the game so “we could send San Jose home”
What a great game even with alot of bench starters. This is the first time I see most of the bench as capable. Even The Toe Berry! I was blaming Nelson for not tracking back Mozo for that initial Chivas goal but Flapjack is right, it was Brugman. That dude is still rusty as hell. Great move by Vanney bringing in Miki to try and get a handle on Mozo on the left, that guy was a handful. How about that goal from Cowell? I guess he has learned a thing or two down at Guadalajara. On to the Sounders I guess. Necaxa put a walloping on them.
Congratulations. My wife and I did our 30 year mega-trip last year. I hope yours is as great as mine was!
Congrats, @TrickHog and missus. And @shelbo and missus, too. I've got you beat, we are at 45 years this December - yes, I'm old. Was young when I got here to BS!